This was the key insight at the summary conference on publishing import and export activities from 2023 to 2025, held recently by the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Nguyen Ngoc Bao, Deputy Director of the Department, reported that 28 units nationwide currently hold licenses for importing publications, including 2 specialized publishers and 26 units with import functions.

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Nguyen Ngoc Bao – Deputy Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution.

Between 2023 and 2025, Vietnam’s publishing import-export market was affected by post-Covid-19 conditions and global economic fluctuations, leading to weakened purchasing power.

However, thanks to government support, the economy has gradually recovered, allowing the publishing import sector to adapt swiftly and strengthen international connections.

By 2025, the import-export growth rate is forecast to rise 30% compared to two years earlier.

The demand for foreign-language books continues to increase, particularly in education and research sectors.

Imports now include a wide range of formats such as printed books, e-books, audiobooks, podcasts, and even 3D books  -  though printed books still account for 85% of all imports.

Yet the actual usage of foreign books within Vietnam remains low.

The market is small and fiercely competitive due to the rise of e-commerce, while copyright violations and counterfeit books persist, causing substantial losses for publishers.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s own book exports are still modest and primarily limited to Laos, Japan, the US, and Australia.

On the international front, the global publishing industry is rebounding strongly.

In 2024, the sector’s global revenue is estimated to reach $132 billion, with annual growth of 4–5% projected from 2024 to 2029.

The US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China remain the key markets.

Digitization trends  -  including e-books, audiobooks, print-on-demand, and platforms like Kindle, Audible, and Scribd  -  offer valuable collaboration opportunities for Vietnamese publishers.

Still, challenges persist.

Exchange rate volatility, rising shipping costs, and supply chain disruptions due to regional conflicts have extended delivery times.

Inflation and increasing international freight rates have also driven up the retail price of imported books in Vietnam.

Domestically, both physical and digital piracy continues to worsen.

Emerging technologies such as AI and electronic publishing are reshaping consumer habits, putting pressure on traditional print but also pushing businesses toward digital transformation.

Out of the 28 licensed importers, only 19 are actively importing.

Total imports reached 181,728 publication titles, totaling over 14.7 million copies with an estimated value of $65 million  -  mainly from the UK, US, Australia, France, Japan, and South Korea.

At the conference, a representative from Fahasa stated that the publishing import-export sector has undergone major policy changes and now faces the urgent need for digital transformation.

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Nguyen Nguyen – Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution.

Fahasa proposed several solutions:

Simplify the process for confirming the release of electronic publications.

Eliminate redundant requirements and focus on necessary conditions for content control and data safety.

Establish a transparent framework for managing digital publications and reduce regulatory overlaps.

Accelerate public service integration by moving import registration to the national public service portal to cut paperwork and processing time.

Enhance anti-piracy efforts through coordinated actions between regulators, publishers, and enforcement agencies to protect copyrights and the official market.

Promote Vietnamese books abroad by expanding book fairs, licensing exchanges, and international partnerships.

A representative from Alpha Books also proposed five strategic recommendations:

First, recognize books  -  including foreign-language ones  -  as educational infrastructure. Offer tax and fee incentives, and support the creation of foreign-language book collections in schools and libraries.

Second, standardize the content review process to avoid inconsistent interpretations between authorities. Use technology to streamline application submissions and approvals.

Third, strengthen digital copyright protection by improving legal frameworks and building a fast-response mechanism for rightsholders.

Fourth, establish public-private partnerships and form foreign book business clubs to support international book fairs and link with cultural institutions and embassies.

Fifth, create a hotline to report copyright violations, and expand enforcement models to handle foreign-language books, e-books, and audiobooks more effectively.

According to industry representatives, Vietnam’s book import-export sector faces both new opportunities and tough global competition.

Sustainable development hinges on improving product quality, standardizing procedures, increasing collaboration, and proactively engaging in new trade mechanisms.

Support from regulators  -  particularly the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution  -  is seen as critical.

Improved policy guidance, international rights promotion, and global book fair participation are essential to boost Vietnam’s competitiveness in the global market.

After listening to feedback from importers and publishing professionals, Nguyen Nguyen, Director of the Department, emphasized several key directions aligned with the National Strategy for Cultural Industry Development through 2030, with a vision toward 2045.

First, simplify administrative procedures and strengthen copyright protection.

Simultaneously, review and propose revisions to the legal framework on publishing import and export, including the 2012 Publishing Law.

Recommend tax incentives and organize international book fairs in Vietnam to promote local works abroad.

Encourage businesses to invest in technology, expand distribution channels, train skilled professionals, and develop foreign-language book networks.

Finally, foster closer ties between importers, publishers, and distributors  -  and encourage collaboration among importers themselves to cut costs, minimize risks, and improve competitiveness.

Tinh Le